1982 CE fuel pump not getting power help!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
1982 CE fuel pump not getting power; how to test relay?
OK guys so I just got this c3 a few weeks ago and just put in the new fuel sending unit.
Plugged the wires in to the clip and bolted it all down. However when I turn the key I can't hear the pump and it wont turn over. I took the fuel line off the fuel filter and turned the key but no fuel came out, so it's definately a power issue.
Anyone know what could be wrong? The fuse is good, I finally found the relay behind the ecm (what a friggin stupid place). How would I test to see if the relay is good?
Thanks
Plugged the wires in to the clip and bolted it all down. However when I turn the key I can't hear the pump and it wont turn over. I took the fuel line off the fuel filter and turned the key but no fuel came out, so it's definately a power issue.
Anyone know what could be wrong? The fuse is good, I finally found the relay behind the ecm (what a friggin stupid place). How would I test to see if the relay is good?
Thanks
Last edited by Sheridan82CE; May 17, 2010 at 08:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Which fuse is good , the one in the battery compartment ? Did you check the fuel pump fuse in the fuse box ?
Checking the relay is not going to be easy to describe,plus I have never seen a bad one.
I'm hoping someone that is REALLY familiar with the crossfire will chime in. I'm moderately ok with the system and don't want to damage anything. When I work on them I go by the book.
Checking the relay is not going to be easy to describe,plus I have never seen a bad one.
I'm hoping someone that is REALLY familiar with the crossfire will chime in. I'm moderately ok with the system and don't want to damage anything. When I work on them I go by the book.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
The fuse in the box down by the pedals is ok. There is a 20 amp fuse in the battery compartment which is the only fuse I see and it is fine as well.
What else could it be if it isn't the relay?
Electrical issues are a pain..
was hoping to hear this baby run today.
What else could it be if it isn't the relay?
Electrical issues are a pain..
was hoping to hear this baby run today.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Well first you will hear it click. second are your sure the battery connections are good going to the juction block in the battery box. If you have power in all these places it's time to go back too the tank.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I removed the fuel line from the filter and theres no gas coming through when I turn the key so that makes me think the pump isnt getting power.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
yep checked that one out and it was broken, so I replaced it and still no luck. That is why I started trying to get to the relay as that is the other thing I could think of?
Any other possibilities I could be over looking? Is there a way to bypass the relay to see if the pump will make some noise?
Any other possibilities I could be over looking? Is there a way to bypass the relay to see if the pump will make some noise?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Yes but I'm not at home right now and there is no way I would attempt to guide you without the 82 book in front of me. I'll be home in about 20 min. if someone else doesnt chime in and assist. 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Ok update to the situation!
Messed with the relay (just stared at it very hard). Now I have fuel going all the way to the tbi's, (fuel pump is working now) but they will not spray out of the two "injectors" i guess is what they are, down into the engine. I checked the two injector fuses by the pedals earlier today and they were both good.
So now my question is: is it easy to get to the injectors to see if they are clogged?
Thanks for the help, much appreciated
Messed with the relay (just stared at it very hard). Now I have fuel going all the way to the tbi's, (fuel pump is working now) but they will not spray out of the two "injectors" i guess is what they are, down into the engine. I checked the two injector fuses by the pedals earlier today and they were both good.
So now my question is: is it easy to get to the injectors to see if they are clogged?
Thanks for the help, much appreciated
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Dang , where is everybody ? Are you sure the injectors have power and are being told to open ? You might need gaskets if you go into the throttle body.
To get to the injectors remove the 5 screws on the fuel meter cover.( Don't remove the 4 screws on the bottom side. )
To get to the injectors remove the 5 screws on the fuel meter cover.( Don't remove the 4 screws on the bottom side. )
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Dang , where is everybody ? Are you sure the injectors have power and are being told to open ? You might need gaskets if you go into the throttle body.
To get to the injectors remove the 5 screws on the fuel meter cover.( Don't remove the 4 screws on the bottom side. )
To get to the injectors remove the 5 screws on the fuel meter cover.( Don't remove the 4 screws on the bottom side. )
As far as getting power to them, where would I check for this?
Thanks ...Roger...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Just a thought... It is rare that both injectors would be clogged! You may want too take a fuel pressure test. The fuel pressure regulator may be stuck open. Also don't overlook the distributor, if the ecm doesn't get a signal that it's firing the pump will only prime for 2 seconds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
You can get a 'noid' light to check your injectors to see if they are being pulsed. I've seen them on Ebay and in some Vette catalogs. Thankful that I never needed them.
Buy the red GM Helms shop manual for 1982 Corvette. You can get these reprinted from the various forum vendors or even on Ebay. There will be walkthrough procedures on how to troubleshoot a 'no start' or 'no fuel spray from injectors' on the CFI. It's just GM EFI and nothing more than that. I don't remember all the details to troubleshoot from the hip.
Regarding fuel pressure, the fuel pump gets its first 2 seconds of power from the ECM and fuel pump relay. After that, its power comes from the oil pressure switch at the rear of the intake manifold, and the fuel pump relay de-energizes. If you are getting a fuel pump prime in the first 2 seconds of key to IGN, then your ECM is getting power to it.
Good luck.
Buy the red GM Helms shop manual for 1982 Corvette. You can get these reprinted from the various forum vendors or even on Ebay. There will be walkthrough procedures on how to troubleshoot a 'no start' or 'no fuel spray from injectors' on the CFI. It's just GM EFI and nothing more than that. I don't remember all the details to troubleshoot from the hip.
Regarding fuel pressure, the fuel pump gets its first 2 seconds of power from the ECM and fuel pump relay. After that, its power comes from the oil pressure switch at the rear of the intake manifold, and the fuel pump relay de-energizes. If you are getting a fuel pump prime in the first 2 seconds of key to IGN, then your ECM is getting power to it.
Good luck.